Initial results indicate two pro-democracy candidates have won parliamentary seats in the Maldives in an election delayed by last month's tsunami.

One of those candidates, Ibrahim Ismail, was jailed last year and charged with trying to overthrow the government. But after the tsunami, Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom dropped the charges and Mr. Ismail was released from prison.

Partial results suggest the other seat for the capital, Male, will go to dissident Mohamed Shihab.

The opposition has dismissed the vote as a sham marred by irregularities. But government spokesman Ahmed Shaheed called Saturdays' vote a great day for democracy.

Political parties are banned in the Maldives, and all 150 candidates officially ran as independents. President Gayoom has ruled the country for 25 years.